NIOSH logo and tagline

Ethanethiol

RTECS #
KI9625000
CAS #
75-08-1
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
December 2018
Molecular Weight
62.14
Molecular Formula
C2H6S
Synonyms
Aethanethiol (German)
Aethylmercaptan (German)
Etantiolo (Italian)
Ethaanthiol (Dutch)
Ethanethiol (OSHA)
Ethyl hydrosulfide
Ethyl mercaptan
Ethyl mercaptan (ACGIH:OSHA)
Ethyl sulfhydrate
Ethyl thioalcohol
Ethylmercaptaan (Dutch)
Ethylmerkaptan (Czech)
Etilmercaptano (Italian)
LPG ethyl mercaptan 1010
Thioethanol
Thioethyl alcohol

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /rabbit 84 mgAIHAAP 19,171,1958
eye /rabbit 100 mg/24H moderate85JCAE -,982,1986
skin /rabbit 500 mg/24H mild85JCAE -,982,1986

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2770 ppm/4HBehavioral: Excitement

Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis
AIHAAP 19,171,1958
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4420 ppm/4HPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change

Behavioral: Excitement

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis
AIHAAP 19,171,1958
intraperitoneal/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 226 mg/kgBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis
AIHAAP 19,171,1958
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 682 mg/kgBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cyanosis
AIHAAP 19,171,1958

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.5 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWRTOPDW 54,247,2009

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3)DTLWS* 3,18,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3);KZW 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDshort term exposure limit 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 1 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,5 ppm (1,3 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 1 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 3 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 1 mg/m3, Skin, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3), KZG-week 1 ppm (2.6 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (25 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 1 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 10 ppm (25 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 10 ppm (25 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 2 ppm (5.2 mg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)ceiling concentration 10 ppm (25 mg/m3)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)ceiling concentration 10 ppm (25 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)ceiling concentration 0.5 ppm (1 mg/m3)CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ETHANETHIOL-airceiling concentration 0.5 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 32760; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 110; Number of Occupations 7; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1793; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 14
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 32760; Number of Industries 1; Total Number of Facilities 19; Number of Occupations 15; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1476

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Mercaptans, 2542
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018